Collapsible boat



SePt- 29; 1964 f J. F. GERBER ETAL 3,150,385

COLLAPSIBLE BOAT 4Filed sept. 12, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F/q. V

2m /ZQRRY/QSPEAR ifi/opone #Spina/Ens Sept 29, 1964 J. F. GERBER ETAL 3,150,385

COLLAPSIBLE BOAT Filed Sept. l2, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fui. .5

WMe/70M #M United States Patent Office 3,150,385 atented Sept. 29, 1964 3,150,385 COLLAPSIBLE BOAT Julian F. Gerber, 3932 Pleasant Ave. S.; Costas Nichois, 5205 Park Ave. S.; Harry R. Spear, 4G09 Aldrich Ave. S.; and Theodore E. Sperouleas, 4315 Columbus Ave. S., all of Minneapolis, Minn.

Filed Sept. 12, 1962, Ser. No. 223,014 11 Ciaims. (Cl. 9-2) This invention relates to a. collapsible, extensible and reversible marine vessel useful for recreational purposes. Although described with particular reference to boats, and especially -to sailboats, the invention is not limited thereto but, is equally applicable to other marine vessels such as surf boards, aqua planes, iioats and the like.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible marine recreational vessel which is simple in construction, light in weight, durable and adapted to be broken down into separate sections for easy transport.

At the same time, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a marine recreational vessel which, though separable into segments, is rigid and strong when assembled.

A further object of the invention is to provide a marine recreational vessel of separable segments of expansible length and capacity.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a recreational marine vessel of separable segments which may be combined in a variety of combinations and which may be reversed end-for-end and top-for-bottom.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. j

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, this invention then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

The invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which the same numerals refer to corresponding parts and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the collapsible recreational marine vessel according to the present invention shown assembled and used as a sailboat;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation of the prow of the vessel;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section longitudinally ofthe vessel on the line 3-3 of FGURE 1 and in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is a tranverse section of the line 4-4 of FIGURE l and in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the segment cornprising the prow end of the marine vessel;

FIGURE 6 is a similar perspective view of the segment comprising the stern segment of the vessel, being identical in structure with that of FIGURE 5, but viewed from the opposite side;

FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of the vessel according to the present invention expanded in length by the addition of a central section; and

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the intermediate segment used to extend the length and capacity of the marine vessel.

Referring now to the drawings, the device of the present invention is shown in FIGURE 1 used as a sailboat indicated generally at 10 and composed of two identical separable slab-like structural hull segments 11. One of the hull segments 11 comprises the prow portion of the boat. The other hull segmentll, which is of identical construction but is turned top-for-bottom, comprises the stern portion of the boat. As shown, each of the segments 11 is generally dat and of substantial thickness having a generally flat surface 12 on one side and a generally contoured surface 13 on the other. The side walls 14 and 15 are preferably perpendicular to the iat surface 12 adjacent the inside abutting end edges 16 of each segment and are preferably tapered slightly from the flat surface 12 toward the contoured surface 13 adjacent the tapered or arcuate outer nose end 17 of each segment. Thus, at the prow of the vessel the side walls taper downwardly .to streamline the vessel and facilitate its movement through the water.

To further facilitate easy movement of the vessel through the water the contoured surface 13 of each of the segments may be tapered slightly from the inside end edge 16 toward the outer nose end 17. At the same time, the contoured surface is desirably shaped to provide a catamaran type bow or prow. Thus, a pair of tapered channels 1S of decreasing width and depth from the outer nose end 17 of each hull segment toward the inner joining end is formed in the contoured surface of each segment. It will be readily understood that the contoured surface 13 of the hull segment 11 comprising the prow of the vessel is adapted to rest in the water, whereas the contoured surface of the corresponding segment cornprising the stern of the vessel will be uppermost and the fiat surface 12 of that hull segment will be in the water.

The hull segments 11 comprising the vessel are connected together by means of a rigid substantially water tight combination half lap butt and double mortise joint, whose structure is best understood from FIGURES 5 and 6. Each of the hull segments 11 is undercut along a plane midway between the surfaces 12 and 13 to provide a plane lap surface 19. The undercut lap surface 19 extends a distance from the joining end 16 of the segment toward the opposite end of the hull segment a distance at least equal to the thickness of the segment, and desirably twice this distance, and terminates in a transverse abutment wall 21. The faces of the inside end joining edge 16 of the hull segments and the abutment wall surfaces 21 are both shown to be perpendicular to the flat surface 12. It is sucient, however, that they lie in parallel spaced apart planes. It will be seen that a half lap butt joint is made between the two hull segments by bringing the lap surfaces 19 together and causing the end edge surfaces 16 to abut against the cut back abutment surfaces 21.

In order to impart rigidity to the half lap butt joint between the hull segments a double mortise joint is superimposed. At least one mortise channel or groove 22 iS provided in the end joining edge 16 of each of the vessel hull segments. A corresponding and complementary projecting tenon or tongue 23 is provided projecting outwardly from each of the set back abutment Walls 21 of each of the hull segments. It Will be readily seen that the tenori 23 of one vessel hull segment engages and mates with the mortise 22 of the other vessel hull segment to form a rigid locking joint with the hal-f lap butt joint which is made when the lap surfaces v19 are placed in abutting relationship. Although the mortises and tenons are shown to be rectangular, it will be apparent that this is a matter of preference and choice. They may be of any geometric shape so long as the mortises and tenons engage and mate with one another. Y

The tongues 23 and channel 22 are mating members. They have the same cross-sectional areas so that the tongue 23 of one segment will mate with groove 22 of the other segment as the-two'segments are brought together. The longitudinal edge of tongue 23 should just meet the adjacent longitudinal edge formed by the lap surface 19 and the vertical surface of the groove. They should not be joined and they should be separable very slightly, but

L manner.'n Y v I .Y n YV Whenusedas aborat,` the vesselisalsojprovided wi'thaV there is preferably no perceptible gap or slit. The naturalV resiliencybfthe material of whichY the segments are made thenI provides the necessary separation4 tdper'mit the' mating partsV to be assembled.

In order to impart still 'further rigidity to the joint be- *tween the vessel hull segmentsfffasteninglmeansf-to secure It-he segments together are preferably provided. "These fasteningy mea-nsalso function" to prevent accidental separation of the hull segments One exemplary 'for-m I`of lfastening means, whichl islfshown'in- FIGURE 4, -is simply la pair ofelongated'bolt membersl27. A'boltrece'iving lholef28 'extends througheachof the segments between the 1 flat surface 12^an`d the'underlyingabu'tting lap surface 19. Inl order thatk the bolt! holes 28' of? bot-h hull segn1ents=-wi11 be in alignment wheat-he'` segments arejoined together: the

Y boltlholesmu'st be equidistant between the fend joining edge 16 and the abutment Wall'21.

`A recess V29 is desir-ably'provided-inthe`at'surface 12 y y of ea'ch ofthe vessel hullf segments aroundholelfor 1 the purpose of receiving t-hehead Yand nut of each of bol-ts '127 so that -theyfwill-notproject beyondthe surface ofthe as'sembledlvess'el and possiblycause injuryto the persons yusing v it.Y For easein assembly an'ddisassembly-off the j vessel, Wingnuts or the like `are desirably usedtosecure V"the bolts inplace. -In order to avoid excessiveweight,

`bolts formed from aluminum or magnesium-are desirably -use'd. `Inrsome instances, iti'may be'desirable'to'reinforce vvthe bolt holes, -asfor example' by insertionof 'a metallic or rigid plastic tube. Other conventional fastening means "which will be readily Aapparentwto those skilled in thea'rt -mayflikewise be used. Among these'may be mentioned -complementary hooks and eyes inthe si'dewallgportions 'of4 each hull, segment, yattracting 'magnets in 'the' abutting faces of end edges 16 and abutment Wa1l:21,turnbuc'kles andlpins, and the like. Y

When the marine vessel of thepresent invention is used "asa: boat each of the segmentsis provided withia center- 'boar'dsloti24 extending through theiat surfaceIZ ofeaeh vessel 'segment anda corresponding"centerboard slot 2'5 'extendingithrough the'teno'n 23. VThe'icenterboard slots' 'are in registry with one Vanotherand vare aligned with'the `Vlongitudinal center" lines `of'thehull segments. A'Ycenter- "board26 extendsthroughl the slots :24 Aand25` to function VVas-'a Stabilizer or keel for 'the assembled' Vessel. Thecente'rboard may be insertedinto the slots 'from' eithersideof Y the assembledlvessel, Vcontributingtothe reversability `f 'thedevice 'y l y A mast socket i31- is provided inthe atpsurface 12Y` of each of the vessel'segments. The "ma'sts'ocketjll is aligned with Vthe* centerb'oardk slot-'and desirabjly extends-'most `of the Ldistance throughV the segment 'in order to' rigidly. snp- Yport themast, but be closed .on the bottomu to,Y prevent the `passageof WaterV through `'the socket.Y AVSinceeachqvessel 'Yhull segment containsa mastsocket 31,.'o`nly`oneof these [sockets "'isin usegto support a: mast 'at `any' give'n.'time.

f lPassage of'water through the unirsednastsocket"r is.de sirably prevented' for theconifortiof the usersrjogf Athe vessel.

' Mast i 32V mayt'idesirablybe formed'fromyaluminurnltubing-or `the like in order` tominimize weight. I t Visgalso p desirablyformedffrom telescoping segments so" that I it l ."may' vbe 'reduced to "aeonvenient size 'for easyvcarryi'n'g.

v 4 turned over, that tting then functions to attach the rudder.

'As seen in`FIGURE'7, `the marine vessel accordingto the present invention may be extended in length and capacity by the insertion of an extension segment 42, whose structure is shown in detail Yin FIGURE 8. 'I'he hull extension segmentf42 vis ofthe same Width as the joining ends Y .of vessel hull segments [11,.an`d-is desirably-,of-approxi Y byrjmeans of 'atbifurcated elevis-lik're bracket ortting; 38 v attached tothe cezirterlof'thenoseA end '1:7 .of eacjhfothe Y. vessel Segments andA corresponding complementary! b1'- 'furcated'V ldevis-likelbraeket 'oriitting 39 attached to the forward edge'oftherudderffhe rudder is securedinV its rudder may-beinsedv tolfasten atow lineer-amooringgline Y Y or the like. `Herr/ever, when th'r'yssel isrever'sed by beingVV rmately the' sameoverallflengthas thosesegments. n -It is of the Ysam'e overall: thickness' as the hull segments 11 land has identical generally hat `top and :bottom surfacesf43and identical side .walls f44'which.are desirablyV perpendicular to the top and bottom' surfaces.

The hull extension segment 42 Yis adapted Ato be titY 'fin a=rigid watertight-half lap'bu/tt'an'd doubie mortise "joint vvto each 4of the ivesselhull end `Vsegments "11. 'In order to accomplish' thisV joint each end ofthe hullextension segment Vis provided with an `identical' lap sui-face 19A, mortise 22A,`tenon l23A, abutting end; joining edge 16A and abutment surface"2`1A,-ll corresponding tothe velements of Vthe same'number of thevesselhll segments 11. vThusywhen the-vesselisextendedbyfmeans off the Vhull-extension segment^"42,fthe lap---sufacesr19 and-19A abutj'tenon V253 Vengages `arid mates with mortisef2'2', tenon 23A engages and mates with mortise 22, end edgelfrabts *against abutment surface "521A andcend edge 16A v abuts against abutment vsurface 521. This identical lmeeting occurs -at both ends of thehullextensionH segment with-'a pair or vessel segments 11 toform a vessel of extended length. 'When thatvextended'vessel isto'be used Yas a I boat, a central centerboard-slot-"45 is provided.

When the hull extension segment 425 is used, the "center-V #fboar'dslots in the end *segments '11S are closed off" in the "water tight joint Vto prevent passage -of' waterthro'ugh these Iunusedslots This isaccomplishe'dfby virtuefo'f thetenons Y 22A being-V unslotte'dland thati portionI of the" top" surface l43 of `the extension' segment being' unslottedf'in the area Vof mortise 22A. Thus, when the'hull'extensionisegment Y "segments With suchtwoftoned'endfsegmentsandeirten- Y -sion usegments a Y' variety "of Acolor :combinations `canVr be achieved. Y

fdesiiedsizetheyare desirablyin the proportion ofabout 'V-ve unitseby eight units4 by tone unit. Because of the Voverlap in Ythe area of the connecting joint, twol suchqeight Eunit`endsegments "may `be combined to produce a' vessel having Ya='totallength of; 1'4 units, and'whenV angeirtension Vsegment-of eight unitsinflengths adde'd,jthe,extended vessel'then hasalength of 270 units. 'Anexemplarysmall sailingV vessel Tof convenient vsize 'for hullsegments-whichare abouti2l/zbyl4 feet by6j inches.

length. "The addition of" one extension Ysegment tof, -the 'same size results in al boatV which isilO feet long., Y

g The vessel segmentsmu'st `be strong,"rigid,l.lghtweight 'andbuoyant They aredesirablyfrof solid oneerpiecefcon- -Y struction formedfrornf a rigid Vsynthetic re'sinous'foam ,material, v such as polystyrene., or. polyurethane or .the like.

'The segmentsmay-be formedby Working slabs oftherrigid plastic foam` materiallto shape, but;desirablythe plastic i -foamis formed in situ in a cavitg/.mold'so'asito produce aV Y Vstructure havinganintegralsmooth outerrskin. '.'Ihe vessel segmentsmayY likewise befformiedwfromlightweight rigidV easy `carrying, and a capaclty of one vto -threepersons-mayibecornposedof' g sheet material such as aluminum, glass liber reinforced polyester, marine plywood or the like to produce watertight hollow shells. Alternatively, segments formed from sheet material need not initially be water-tight but may be filled with a plastic foam material formed in situ in the sheet material shell form.

As a convenience in carrying, the sidewalls of the segments may be provided with strap receiving fittings so that the segments may be fastened together by suitable straps, with or without handles, and easily carried. The disassembled vessel may thus be easily carried in a station wagon or on a luggage rack or shipped by public transportation or the like.

Although the invention has been described with particular reference to a fiat slab-like vessel which is collapsible, extensible and reversible top-for-bottom, the principle of this invention may also be incorporated into other types of marine vessels having a concave or dished cross-sectional proles, such as canoes, for example. Such a vessel may be made with two identical hull end sections adapted to be joined together by means of a combination half lap butt and double mortise joint. In this instance, the half lap butt joint of necessity follows the dished contour of the vessel. A plurality of mortise and tenon elements are disposed about the end edge of this contoured surface. Such a vessel is reversible end-for-end and is also adapted to be extended by the insertion of one or more intermediate sections. The hull segments may be of integral one piece construction such as that obtained by plastic foam molding, The hull segments may also be constructed in the conventional manner, from aluminum or fiber glass reinforced polyester resins or the like in the case of canoes, with simply the joint portions constructed according to the present invention. In order to insure water tightness the joint is desirably gasketed.

While the abutting faces of the half lap portions of the combination joint are desirably fiat plane surfaces this is a matter of convenience land preference only. Other geometric configurations may be employed so long as the abutting surfaces mate with one another.

It is apparent that many modifications and variations of this invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The specific embodiments described are given by way of example only and the invention is limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

We claim:

l. A collapsible marine recreational vessel comprised of a pair of identical hull end segments adapted to be rigidly connected in a combined half lap butt and double mortise joint, each of said hull segments being rigid and slab-like and including one generally arcuate nose end and one at joining end; said joining ends of said hull segments each including an abutting end edge, a lap surface and an abutment wall surface, the end edge, lap surface and Wall surface of one of said segments being adapted to abut the wall surface, lap surface and end edge, respectively, of another of said segments; and said joining ends of said hull segments also each including at least one mortise element and at least one tenon element, the tenon element of one of said segments being adapted to engage and mate with the mortise element of another of said segments.

2. A vessel according to claim l further characterized in that said hull segments each include one generally fiat surface and one generally contoured surface.

3. A vessel according to claim 2 further characterized in that said contoured surface is generally tapered toward the nose end of said hull segment and includes at least one tapered channel terminating at said nose end and tapering in decreasing Width and decreasing depth away from said nose end of the hull segment.

4. A vessel according to claim l further characterized bythe provision of a centerboard slot adjacent the joining end of each of said hull end segments whereby the slot of one of said segments is in alignment with the slot of the other of said segments when said segments are con. nested.

5. A vessel according to claim 1 further characterized in that said hull end segments are separated by at least one hull extension segment adapted to be rigidly connected in a combined half lap butt and double mortise joint to said end segments, said extension segment being rigid and slab-like, of substantially the same width and thickness as the joining ends of said hull end segments, and including two oppositely disposed joining ends; each of said extension segment joining ends being identical and including an abutting end edge, a lap surface and an abutment wall surface adapted to abut the Wall surface, lap surface and end edge, respectively, of another hull segment; and each of said extension segment joining ends also including at least one mortise element and at least one tenon element adapted to engage and mate with the tenon element and mortise element, respectively, of another hull segment.

6. A vessel according to claim l further characterized in that said lap surfaces, mortises and tenons extend a distance from the ends of said hull segments equal to about one to two times the thickness of said segments.

7. A vessel according to claim l further characterized in that said hull segments are of solid one-piece construction formed from a buoyant rigid synthetic resinous foam material.

8. A vessel according to claim 7 further characterized in that said hull segments are formed from rigid resinous foam selected from the class consisting of polystyrene and polyurethane molded to shape and having an integral smooth outer skin.

9. A collapsible marine recreational Vessel comprised of a pair of identical hull end segments rigidly connected in a combined half lap butt and double mortise joint, each of said hull segments being rigid and Slab-like including one generally arcuate nose end and one iiat joining end and one generally fiat surface and one generally contoured catamaran surface tapered toward the nose and having at least one tapered channel terminating at the nose end of said hull segment and tapering in decreasing width and decreasing depth from said nose; said joining ends of said hull segments each including an abutting end edge, a lap surface and an abutment wall surface in abutting engagement with the wall surface, lap surface and end edge, respectively, of another hull segment; and said joining ends of said hull segments also each including at least one mortise and at least one tenon in mating engagement with the tenon and mortise, respectively, of another hull segment; said lap surfaces, mortises and tenons extending a distance from the ends of said hull segments equal to about one to two times the thickness of said segments.

l0. A vessel according to claim 9 further characterized in that said hull end segments are separated by at least one hull extension segment rigidly connected in a combined half lap butt and double mortise joint to said end segments, said extension segment being rigid and slab-like, of substantially the same width and thickness as the joining ends of said hull end segments, and including two oppositely disposed joining ends; each of said extension segment joining ends being identical and including an abutting end edge, a lap surface and an abutment wall surface in abutting engagement with the wall surface, lap surface and end edge, respectively, of another hull segment; and each of said extension segment joining ends also including at least one mortise and at least one tenon in mating engagement with the tenon and mortise, respectively, of another hull segment.

ll. A collapsible marine recreational vessel comprised of a pair of hull end segments adapted to be rigidly connected in a combined half-lap butt and double mortise joint, each of said hull segments being rigid and including one generally arcuate nose end and one joining end; said joining ends of said hull segments each including an abutting end edge, a lap surface and an abutment wall surface,

Y the end edge, lap surface and Wall surface pf one of said `segments-being adapted to abut the welll-surface, lapsurface and-'end edge, respectively,v ofanotherf` of Asaid segments; and said joining ends of saidhull segment also each References Cited nthe le of this patent Y A UNITED STATES PATENTS Y .Welsh .'Apr. 11:2, 19,32 "Engensperger 11 an. '26, `19754 Abjian May 15,V A1962 Hansen 'Oct. `9, 1962 

1. A COLLAPSIBLE MARINE RECREATIONAL VESSEL COMPRISED OF A PAIR OF IDENTICAL HULL END SEGMENTS ADAPTED TO BE RIGIDLY CONNECTED IN A COMBINED HALF LAP BUTT AND DOUBLE MORTISE JOINT, EACH OF SAID HULL SEGMENTS BEING RIGID AND SLAB-LIKE AND INCLUDING ONE GENERALLY ARCUATE NOSE END AND ONE FLAT JOINING END; SAID JOINING ENDS OF SAID HULL SEGMENTS EACH INCLUDING AN ABUTTING END EDGE, A LAP SURFACE AND AN ABUTMENT WALL SURFACE, THE END EDGE, LAP SURFACE AND WALL SURFACE OF ONE OF SAID SEGMENTS BEING ADAPTED TO ABUT THE WALL SURFACE, LAP SURFACE AND END EDGE, RESPECTIVELY, OF ANOTHER OF SAID SEGMENTS; AND SAID JOINING ENDS OF SAID HULL SEGMENTS ALSO EACH INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE MORTISE ELEMENT AND AT LEAST ONE TENON ELEMENT, THE TENON ELEMENT OF ONE OF SAID SEGMENTS BEING ADAPTED TO ENGAGE AND MATE WITH THE MORTISE ELEMENT OF ANOTHER OF SAID SEGMENTS. 